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VIDEO: Packers-Colts game canceled due to field conditions

If you're one of the millions of Americans anxiously awaiting the return of football, you're going to have to keep waiting.The NFL's Hall of Fame game, which is the official start of the NFL preseason, was canceled because the field is in <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17241245/hall-fame-game-canceled-due-poor-field-conditions-tom-benson-stadium" target="_blank">such poor shape</a>.SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/some-nfl-season-tickets-come-with-a-price-before-the-price/">Some NFL Season Tickets Come With A Price Before The Price</a>"From what I've been told, the wrong paint was used, and if you could get out there and see it, it had dried; it was very sticky; it was very gummy; it was almost like taffy," reporter Lisa Salters said on ESPN.And while a field full of taffy would be delicious, it would also be very unsafe. Cleats could get caught up in the gunk and cause a nasty leg injury, which is the last thing anyone wants in a preseason game.The <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000681448/article/hall-of-fame-game-canceled-due-to-field-concerns" target="_blank">NFL issued a statement saying</a>, "We are very disappointed for our fans, but player safety is our primary concern, and as a result, we could not play an NFL game on this field tonight."The Hall of Fame's president said the fans who had hoped to attend will be given a refund. Football-starved fans will have to wait until Thursday for the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000666518/article/nfl-releases-dates-and-kickoff-times-for-2016-preseason-games" target="_blank">preseason to actually start</a>.This video includes images from Getty Images. Music provided courtesy of APM Music.<hr>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/russia-s-entire-team-has-been-banned-from-paralympics/">Doping Scandal Gets Russia Banned From This Year's Paralympics</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/alex-rodriguez-is-making-16-000-per-pitch-this-season/">Alex Rodriguez Is Making $16,000 Per Pitch This Season</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/alex-rodriguez-is-retiring-from-baseball/">Baseball's Most Controversial Player Will Be Hanging Up His Cleats</a></li></ul>

By: Jay Sorgi

Posted

and last updated

There was supposed to be the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game Sunday night - the first game of the 2016 preseason.

The NFL chose to cancel it after discovery of unplayable field conditions.

WTMJ's Greg Matzek revealed the problem - the paint job done on the field earlier Sunday.

The field turf is fine...the paint is like rubber. Slick and firm. pic.twitter.com/NHe6yjxu8p
— Greg Matzek (@gmatzek) August 7, 2016

"This field, when they painted it earlier in the week, everything set up fine. They painted it again...the sun got to it. It hardened. It became very hard and slick in the middle of the field," said 620 WTMJ Voice of the Packers Wayne Larrivee about the cancelation.

As for the Packers players who want a chance to prove themselves in a game situation, particularly young players, "Those guys miss some reps here. The veterans not so much. It's not a problem for them," said Wayne.

"Player safety is enormous in the NFL. I'm sure the NFL put their stamp of approval on this," said Larry McCarren on WTMJ's Packers Gameday after the announcement.

"The party that would be most likely to feel (relieved) is Ted Thompson. He doesn't like exposing his players to live contact when he doesn't have to."

Thompson, the Packers GM, joined NFL brass and Colts officials in discussing field conditions before the decision.

Follow today's "game" - or non-game coverage below.

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